Category Archives for You & I

Music for what ails you.

My session got off to a good start today, but when it came time to let go of the practicing and play for pure pleasure, it seemed there was nothing I really wanted to do.

I thought about the music I’ve been playing recently, and also how much fun I’ve been having improvising, and none of it seemed appealing. I was feeling a bit down, actually (post-vacation blues, perhaps), and the fact that I had no appetite for playing didn’t help. Continue reading

Really listening (and its rewards)

I keep a journal about my playing and practicing. This is from today’s entry.

I spent some time with the well-known Sonatina in G. (Probably not by Beethoven, as it turns out.) One of my students is playing it and I want her to hear how beautiful this little piece can sound.

It took me a while to get caught up in the music and enjoy it, and for a while, I thought I never would. But as I listened more and more closely and found little things to do that pleased me, I perked up. Continue reading

Deep Basic #1: Find your way with music.

This is the first in a series of posts on the core essentials of piano playing.

Don’t fall into the trap of expecting your approach to the piano to look like anyone else’s.

This applies to (among other things) what kind of music you like to play, your level of commitment, whether you enjoy creating your own music, whether you like to play alone or with others—even why you choose to play in the first place.

Now I’m not suggesting that you ignore what other musicians are doing. Far from it. Learn from players who inspire you—a teacher, perhaps, or a friend, or your favorite recording artist. No one masters a language (for that’s what music is) in all its nuances, without imitating good speakers.

But understand that your role models have created musical lifestyles based on their own likes and strengths. They have found, or are finding, their way of being with the piano.

Find yours.